Polygonal framework type clamping machine



Dec. 30, 1952 A. H. JOSEPH 2,623,560

7 POLYGONAL FRAMEWORK TYPE CLAMPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1948 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIMIHHM I I I frz mfrziar: AZarzfiT J05 430/2,

Dec. 30, 1952 A. H. JOSEPH 2,623,560

POLYGONAL FRAMEWORK TYPE CLAMPING MACHINE Filed Jan. 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIII/ V AZafz/f f056 b/Z, $40.44 4%- Dec. 30, 1952 A. H. JOSEPH POLYGONAL FRAMEWORK TYPE CLAMPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 15, 1948 In wfziw":

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Patented Dec. 30, 1952 POLYGONAL FRAMEWORK "TYPE CLAMPIN G MACHINE Alan H. Joseph, Chicago, Ill., assignor .10 Handy Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111., a corpcration of Illinois Application January 15, 194$,Seria1No. 2,349

3 Claims. 1

This invention :relates generally to clamping devices for use in assembling window sash, doors, drawers, furniture :frames, etc., and it has particular relation to power operated and/or power and hand operated clamping devices capable of adjustment for awide rangeof applications and sizes of workpieces to be clamped.

Among the objects of this invention are: To provide a power clamping device that is adjustable for a wide :range of workpieces; to provide various adjusting mechanism for the clamping device; to apply the clamping pressure to the workpiece along a line extending through the points of pressure application to opposite sides of the workpiece; and to provide for adjustably positioning a plurality of clamping devices along the rails forming a rectangular frame, for clamping a wide variety of shapes and sizes of workpieces.

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the central portion of a clamping machine constructed in ac cordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through a preferred form of power clamping device;

Figs. 4 and 5 are views similar to Fig. 3 and showing difierent embodiments of the power clamping device;

Fig. 6 is a-detail sectional view at an enlarged scale, taken on the line 6-4: of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectionalview through an adjustable mounting for a back stop used in the clamping machine;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view at an enlarged scale, taken on the line 8-3 of Fig. 7;

Fig. .9 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showing still another construction for the power clamping device;

Fig. 10 is a top plan View of a clamping machine in accordance with this invention, having means intermediate its ends and along the sides for clamping the intermediate portion of a workpiece as well as the ends thereof;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the clamping machine, in which the clamping devices are mounted individually and adjustably along rails forming a part er the framework of the machine;

Fig. 12 is adetailsectionalview at an enlarged scaleytaken along the line l2--'l2 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view ta'kenon 'the line l 3-l 3 of Fig. '12.

Referring :now particularly to'Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that the reference character Ill designates generally a clamping machine which includes rectangular end frames, shown generally at l I, that may be formed of angles welded together. Rollers H may beprovided near the lower ends of each of the end frames 1 l to make the clamping machine ID portable. Tension rods I 2 extend between the end frames H and cooperate therewith to provide a rigid construction. As shown in Fig. 1, transverse members I3 in the form of channels or the like are spaced apart to provide the bed of the machine I '0 for receiving and supporting a workpiece to be clamped.

At one end of the machine Hi there is provided a back plate M which has an upstanding flange I 5 that is arranged to engage one end of the workpiece. Underneath th'eback plate l4 there are downwardly extending :arms IS which cooperate with threaded rods 1 1 that are journaled in bearings l8. Sprockets l9 are fast on the threaded rod [1, and chains 20 are trained thereover, and over sprockets 2| which are carried by a shaft 22 that has a hand wheel 23 fastened thereto. It will be understood that the position of the back plate M can be adjusted by turning the hand wheel 23 to accommodate different lengths of workpieces.

At the other end of the machine .ID, there is provided a clamp plate 26 which is slidable on the tension rods I2. It has an upstanding flange 21 for engaging the adjacent end of the workpiece, and rods 2.8 are attached thereto which, as will appear hereinafter, can be operated by power cyl'mders for moving the clamp plate 26 toward the back plate [4 to clamp the workpiece therebetween.

With a view to clamping the sides of the workpiece and to using the same mechanism for clamping various widths of workpieces, the mechanism now to be described may be employed. It will be noted that the back plate M and the clamp plate 26 each carry at one end a tubular member 29 which has integrally formed foot portions 30 that may be secured, as by bolts 3|, to the plates M or 2B. This con struction is shown in more detail in Fig. 7, where it will be observed that a rod 32 is slidably mounted in the tubular member 29, and carries a back stop 33 at its forward end. The rod 32 is adjustable in the tubular member 29 in order to permit clamping of various widths of worl pieces. As shown, it has slots 34 at spaced intervals with which a clamp mechanism shown generally at 35 cooperates. The clam mechanism 35 is shown in more detail in Fig. 8, where it will be noted that it includes a pair of C- shaped clamp members 35' that have detents 34' formed integrally therewith for interfitting with the slots 34. The clamp members 3'5 are pivoted at separate pivots, as indicated at 3%, although as will appear hereinafter, a single pivot can be used to accomplish the desired result. A clamp screw 31 is arranged to move the clamp members 35' toward each other and into clamping engagement with the rod 32. The clamp members are biased apart by a coil compression spring 31'.

Cooperating with the back stop 33 and the mechanism associated therewith on each of the plates I l and 26, is a power operated mechanismwhich will now be described. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, each of the plates it and 25 has a supporting frame 33 at the right hand end which is arranged to carry an air cylinder that is shown generally at 39. In Fig. 3, the details of construction of the air cylinder are shown more clearly. It will be noted that it includes end'plates All which have integrally formed foot portions 4|, Fig. 2, that may be secured by bolts 42 to the support frame 33. A cylindrical member 43 extends between the end plates id and is held in fluid-tight relation therewith by suitable means such as tension bolts as. Within the cylindrical member 43, a piston id is slidably mounted. The cylindrical member lt is arranged to have air under pressure to be applied to either end for operating the piston 55 in opposite directions. Since any suitable arrangement of air supply can be used, the same is not shown. It will be understood that various hydraulic fluids, such as oil and the like, can be used instead of air if desired.

A sleeve :36 is slidably mounted in the end plates 49 and it extends through the piston :35. Collars 41 are secured to the sleeve G3 on opposite sides of the piston 45' so as to cause conjoint movement of the piston 35 and sleeve it. Slidably mounted within the sleeve 46 is a rod 48 which carries at its forward end a pressure plate 49. It will be noted that the pressure plate 49 is opposite the back stop 33, and it will be understood that the sides of the workpiece may be clamped therebetween on application of suitable pressure to the piston #35. The construction is such that the pressure of the piston 45 is applied directly to the workpiece and axially of the rod 48, so that the pressure is applied along a line extending through the points of pressure application to the workpiece.

It is desirable that th rod 48 be adjustable with respect to the sleeve lit in order to accommodate various widths of workpieces. Accordingly, the rod 48 may be slotted as indicated at B, and a clamp mechanism, shown generally at 5i, carried by the forward end of the sleeve it may be used for operatively interconnecting the sleeve 45 and rod 48.

In Fig. 6, the clamp mechanism iii is shown in more detail. It will be noted that it includes a pair of G-shaped clamp members M which have integrally formed detents 5% that are arranged to interfit with the slots 5%. The clamp members 5| are pivoted at 52, which, in this case, constitutes a single or common pivot for both of the clamp members 5|. A clamp screw 53 may be employed for moving the clamp members 5| into engagement with the rod 48. A coil compression spring 53 serves to bias the clamp members 5! apart. Other mechanisms for adjusting the position of the pressure plate is with respect to the piston may be employed. Certain of these will now be described.

As shown in Fig. 4, a tubular member 5'] may be slidably mounted in the end plates to of the air cylinder 39. Another tube 58 may be telescoped in the tube 5! and held against relative longitudinal movement by a pin 55. At its other end, a rod Si] is telescoped within the tube 58 and held in position by a pin iii. At its forward end, the rod 60 carries the pressure plate it. Several apertures may be provided in the tubes El and 58, and in the rod ii!) for receiving the pins 59 and BI at various locations to provide the desired degree of adjustability.

. In Fig. 5 there is shown another manner in which the pressure plate 49 can be adjustably positioned with respect to the piston it. It will be noted that a sleeve 46', similar to the sleeve it, is slidably mounted in the end plates 4%, and that it is internally threaded for receiving a threaded rod 63 which carries at its forward end the pressure plate i9. By screwing the rod 83 in or out of the sleeve 26', the position of the pressure plate 49 can be adjusted.

In Fig. 9 there is shown still another means for adjustably interconnecting the pressure plate are and the piston 45. A sleeve it" extends through the end plates 58 and through the piston 35. A smooth rod AS is slidably mounted in the sleeve 66''. At the ends of the sleev it" are friction clamps which are indicated generally at (56. Each clamp iii; includes a band clamp 67 and a cooperating clamp screw 53. By tightening the screw 58, the rod 33' is frictionally gripped and held to the sleeve d8".

In Fig. 10 there is illustrated generally at W a clamping machine which is generally the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and described hereinbefore. The plates I l and 25 carry back stops 33 and pressure plates 39 that may be ad-. justed and operated in the manner described above. Power cylinders H to which the rods 28 are attached, may be employed for moving the clamp plate 26 toward the back plate Hi. In addition, an intermediate transverse member 72 carries a back stop 33 and a pressure plate A9, and the associated apparatus for adjusting and operating the same. This permits the clamping of the workpiece on opposite sides and intermediate its ends, as well as on the sides at the ends.

In Fig. 11 there is shown generally at it a clamping machine which is generally similarto that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It includes end frames H which have rollers ii for making the machine portable. A bed plate 15 extends between the end frames I l for receiving the workpieces. Extending between the end frames H are side rails 7%, while cross rails Ti extend at right angles thereto, adjacent the end frames H. The side rails "it may have extensions l8, and the cross rails ll may have extensions 19 for a purpose which will be apparent presently. Preferably, the rails i5 and 77, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, are in the form of rolled angle sections, although it will be understood that other shapes may be used.

A bearing block til is slidably mounted between adjacent side rails 16. as shown in Fig. 12, and it has a key portion 8| which extends therebetween. A clamp block 82 cooperates with the rail 76 on the side opposite the bearing block 59, and may be clamped thereto by bolts 82' which extend through the bearing block 89 and are threaded into the clamp block 82. This permits positioning of the bearing block 80 and apparatus carried thereby at any desired position along the side rails i6, and also clamping of the same thereto. A similar construction is employed along the cross rails 71.

The bearing block 80 has a vertical opening 83 therein, in which a vertical shaft 84 is rotatahly mounted. At its upper end, the shaft 84 carries a plate 85 for receiving the foot portions 4| of the air cylinder 89 which may be secured thereto by the bolts 82. Clamp collars 85 are frictionally secured to the shaft 85 above and below the bearing block 86 for positioning the plate 85 at the desired level.

In order to clamp the shaft 8 against turning, a clamp block or shoe 8? bears against the same with force eizerted by a set screw 68.

It will be understood that any of the clamping devices shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 9 may be employed in the clamping machine 58" shown in Fig. 11. By providing the extensions '18 and '19 on the side rails '16 and cross rails 71 respectively,

it is possible to position the clamping devices along these extensions as may be desired for clamping irregularly shaped workpieces. An example of this is illustrated in the upper right hand corner of Fig. 11.

The cross rails E1 and their extensions 19 are shown by broken lines, since their use in the clamping machine I0" is optional.

A clamp plate 69 may be carried by the pressure plates 49 of the clamping devices located along the left hand side rail 19, as shown in Fig. 11. This clamp plate 89 may cooperate with three or more clamping devices which are located along the right hand side rail 16, as shown. The clamping devices on the end frames I I serve to apply pressure to the ends of the workpiece. It will be understood that their number can be varied as desired.

It will be understood that the term power cylinder, as used in the following claims, is not to be construed as a limitation, but rather as an example of one means for operating the pressure plate. It is obvious that motor driven means, or even manually operated means may be employed for moving the pressure plate toward or away from the workpiece.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be preferred embodiments of my invention in such detail that the same may be readily understood by those skilled in the art, I am aware that other embodiments, and changes in those herein described, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a clamping machine of the character described, a stop member for engaging one side of a workpiece, a power cylinder, a piston operable therein, a sleeve having a length greater than. the length of said cylinder extending through said cylinder and the piston therein, said sleeve being secured to said piston and slidable in the opposite ends of said cylinder, a rod movable longitudinally in said sleeve for transmitting pressure from said piston to a workpiece abutting said stop member, and means fixed with respect to said sleeve for cooperating with said rod. to adjustably fix said rod in a plurality of positions longitudinally of aid sleeve.

2. In a clamping machine of the character described, a stop member for engaging one side of a workpiece, a power cylinder, a piston operable therein, a sleeve having a length greater than the length of said cylinder extending through said cylinder and the piston therein, said sleeve being secured to said piston and slidable in the opposite ends of said cylinder, an externally threaded rod movable longitudinally in said sleeve for transmitting pressure from said piston to a workpiece abutting said stop member, and means integral with said sleeve for cooperating with said rod to adjustably fix said rod in a plurality of positions longitudinally of said sleeve, said means comprising internally threaded portions on said sleeve for cooperating with said externally threaded portions on said rod.

3. In a clamping machine of the character described, a stop member for engaging one side of a workpiece, a power cylinder, a piston operable therein, a sleeve having a length greater than the length of said cylinder extending through said cylinder and the piston therein, said sleeve being secured to said piston and slidable in the opposite ends of said cylinder, a rod movable longitudinally in said sleeve for transmitting pressure from said piston to a workpiece abutting said stop member, and means fixed with respect to said sleeve for cooperating with said rod to adjustably fix said rod in a plurality of positions longitudinally of said sleeve, said means comprising a pair of clamp members carried by said sleeve, said clamp members having detents and said rod having slots in place thereof for releasably receiving said detents therein.

ALAN H. JOSEPH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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